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527970

registered interest
date	20/06/2016
answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
answering dept id	26
answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
hansard heading	Overseas Investment: Treaties
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the effect of the Government's bilateral investment treaties on its policies on human rights, development and the environment in each of the countries with which it has signed a treaty.
tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
uin	41057
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/06/2016 answer text <p>The UK is signatory to over 90 bilateral investment treaties (BITs). The objective of BITs is to provide investors with fair and equitable treatment, protection against discriminatory action and a commitment not to expropriate investments without compensation. The contents of BITs do not provide specific obligations to either investors or states regarding human rights, development or the environment, however fair, non-discriminatory and proportionate action taken by a host state to protect human rights, development and the environment would not breach an investment protection. The Government is not aware of any Investor-State Dispute Settlement claims made by UK investors under existing BITs that have led directly to or contributed towards a negative impact on these areas.</p> answering member constituency Broxtowe answering member printed Anna Soubry question first answered 30/06/2016 09:59:43 answering member 3938 label Biography information for Anna Soubry
tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

527971

registered interest
date	20/06/2016
answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
answering dept id	26
answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
hansard heading	Overseas Investment: Treaties
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of mechanisms for parliamentary oversight of the UK's bilateral investment treaties.
tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
uin	41073
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/06/2016 answer text <p>Treaties, including bilateral investment treaties, that are subject to ratification, approval, acceptance, accession or the mutual notification of completion of procedures are laid before Parliament for scrutiny purposes for a period of 21 parliamentary sitting days under the provisions of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 (Part 2: ratification of treaties) which commenced on 11 November 2010. This legislation provides that the UK cannot legally ratify or consent to be bound by a treaty laid under its provisions until the statutory 21 sitting day process has elapsed. During the 21 sitting days, hon Members and Select Committees have the chance to scrutinise the treaty provisions, ask questions, and potentially report. They may ask for extra time. The Constitutional Reform and Governance Act does not guarantee a debate, but any request would have to be seriously considered. If Parliament debated and resolved that HMG “shall not ratify”, then the latter could not legally do so at that point.</p> answering member constituency Broxtowe answering member printed Anna Soubry question first answered 29/06/2016 08:56:32 answering member 3938 label Biography information for Anna Soubry
tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

518875

registered interest
date	18/05/2016
answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
answering dept id	26
answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
hansard heading	Overseas Trade: China
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what the Government's policy is on the granting of market economy status to China.
tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
uin	37168
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/05/2016 answer text <p>The Government believes it is important that World Trade Organisation members meet their international obligations. But we are also committed to tackling unfair trade and ensuring that the Commission continues to have the necessary tools available to do this.</p><p>China’s 2001 Protocol of Accession to the WTO removes certain provisions after 15 years, so countries may need to alter the methodology for calculating dumping when conducting anti-dumping investigations involving China. In such an event, the EU would still be able to impose anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures against China, just as it does against Russia, the US and other market economies. We recognise there are real concerns about this. We are committed to discussing implementation of the Protocol's requirements with our international partners.</p><p>The European Commission is due to present its proposals in this area in the summer. Alongside its proposal, the Commission is expected to present a detailed assessment of the legal, economic and social impacts of this issue. It conducted a consultation earlier this year to collect evidence to inform its assessment and on possible measures to mitigate any adverse effects on EU industry. We welcome this and will examine the Commission’s proposal and impact assessment carefully before deciding our position.</p> answering member constituency Broxtowe answering member printed Anna Soubry question first answered 25/05/2016 15:12:27 answering member 3938 label Biography information for Anna Soubry
tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

518876

registered interest
date	18/05/2016
answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
answering dept id	26
answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
hansard heading	Iron and Steel: Manufacturing Industries
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what the value was of (a) private and (b) public sector investment in the British steel industry in each of the last 10 years.
tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
uin	37169
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/05/2016 answer text <p>This information is not collected centrally. However, the following are examples of Government investments in the UK metals sector since 2008:</p><ul><li>£8.2 million from the Regional Growth Fund towards a new Tata Steel Europe R&amp;D Centre at Warwick University</li></ul><ul><li>Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative (AMSCI) - £12.7 million comprising £6.47 million grant and £6.25 million loan to a consortium of which Tata Steel Europe is a key partner, to develop the “Proving Factory” which specialises in the industrialisation and low-volume production of advanced propulsion systems to automotive standards.</li><li>AMSCI – CASCADE project and consortia of 11 companies led by Tata Steel – awarded grant of £4.6m in April 2015 for development of metal powders and processes for additive manufacturing</li><li>Over £100m in capital projects in universities (through the Research Partnership Investment Fund) in steel, composites, automotive and aerospace, which has leveraged funding from businesses such as Tata, Rolls Royce and JLR.</li><li>Over £100m in EPSRC’s grant programme in metals and alloys</li><li>Innovate UK have provided just under £4m in grants to Tata Steel and a further £2m (with £2m from EPSRC) for SPECIFIC – an innovation and knowledge centre at Swansea University.</li></ul><p>Information on private sector investment in the steel industry is not available from official sources.</p> answering member constituency Broxtowe answering member printed Anna Soubry question first answered 23/05/2016 09:58:59 answering member 3938 label Biography information for Anna Soubry
tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

518878

registered interest
date	18/05/2016
answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
answering dept id	26
answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
hansard heading	Energy Intensive Industries: Trade Competitiveness
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what meetings he has had with the European Commissioner for Competition on EU state aid rules and support for energy-intensive industries.
tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
uin	37171
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/05/2016 answer text <p>Over the past year, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills has met and called several times with Margrethe Vestager, European Commissioner for Competition, to discuss EU state aid rules and energy-intensive industries. I as Minister of State for Business, Industry and Enterprise attended the energy intensive industries high level stakeholder conference in Brussels in February. Senior officials from the Department have also had regular meetings with Commission Competition officials to discuss these issues.</p> answering member constituency Broxtowe answering member printed Anna Soubry question first answered 27/05/2016 13:53:08 answering member 3938 label Biography information for Anna Soubry
tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

518880

registered interest
date	18/05/2016
answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
answering dept id	26
answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
hansard heading	Iron and Steel: Research
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the potential contribution of innovation, research and development to the future viability of the British steel industry.
tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
uin	37173
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/05/2016 answer text <p>The UK is a world leader in advanced manufacturing sectors such as automotive and aerospace, which continue to grow rapidly. These industries all require high value, continually improving steel products in order to remain competitive, and therefore innovation will continue to play an important role in the future of the UK steel industry. The Steel Council recognises this; UK Steel are leading the Future Capacity and Capabilities working group which is currently undertaking work to better identify where innovation and R&amp;D is needed to meet future requirements for steel products, and how industry and Government can work together to support this.</p><p>Since 2010 we have been supporting the steel sector by offering grants totalling £29 million and loans totalling £33 million towards projects including:</p><p>o The development of facilities, such as the R&amp;D centre at Warwick University.</p><p>o Development of new products.</p><p>o And investment in training, skills and apprenticeships.</p> answering member constituency Broxtowe answering member printed Anna Soubry question first answered 26/05/2016 15:35:59 answering member 3938 label Biography information for Anna Soubry
tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

518882

registered interest
date	18/05/2016
answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
answering dept id	26
answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
hansard heading	Iron and Steel: Manufacturing Industries
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the contribution of the Materials Processing Institute to the development of a modern British steel industry.
tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
uin	37175
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/05/2016 answer text <p>The Government is exploring all options to support steel and the foundation industries. We are interested to consider how we can develop the best way forward for the UK industry alongside all parties with steel expertise, including the Materials Processing Institute.</p> answering member constituency Broxtowe answering member printed Anna Soubry question first answered 27/05/2016 13:53:53 answering member 3938 label Biography information for Anna Soubry
tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

518883

registered interest
date	18/05/2016
answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
answering dept id	26
answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
hansard heading	Tata Steel
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps he has taken to (a) improve customer confidence in and (b) ensure continuity of client contracts with Tata steel.
tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
uin	37177
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/05/2016 answer text <p>Tata have confirmed to us that they working closely with all of their customers and suppliers at this time, and HMG is supporting Tata to make sure that their customers and suppliers are fully aware of all the efforts the Government is making to secure a sale of their UK facilities.</p><p>The Government has also written a letter to Tata’s supply chain and customers highlighting our commitment to the UK steel sector, and the steps we are taking to support the industry.</p> answering member constituency Broxtowe answering member printed Anna Soubry question first answered 26/05/2016 15:38:18 answering member 3938 label Biography information for Anna Soubry
tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

518884

registered interest
date	18/05/2016
answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
answering dept id	26
answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
hansard heading	Iron and Steel: Antidumping
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what powers are available to his Department to restrict dumping of steel imports in the UK; and which of those powers he has used.
tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
uin	37178
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/05/2016 answer text <p>Trade defence is an EU competence. The EU’s anti-dumping procedures are set out in Council Regulation (EC) No 1225/2009 (the EU’s basic anti-dumping Regulation). The process is mainly initiated following requests from EU producers to the Commission. The Commission is responsible for considering requests for and, if appropriate, opening anti-dumping investigations. The UK, or any other EU member state, cannot unilaterally impose tariffs.</p><p>It is for industry to demonstrate prima facie evidence of dumping to the European Commission. We encourage industry to present this evidence to the Commission where they have evidence of dumping. Where evidence is sufficient to justify an investigation the Commission will do so and present any proposals for imposing duties to Member States.</p><p>The Government stands ready to assist all parts of UK industry in making its case to the Commission and has actively lobbied the Commission in support of UK steel producers in a number of recent cases, including reinforcing bar and cold-rolled flat products.</p> answering member constituency Broxtowe answering member printed Anna Soubry question first answered 26/05/2016 15:39:43 answering member 3938 label Biography information for Anna Soubry
tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

518885

registered interest
date	18/05/2016
answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
answering dept id	26
answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
hansard heading	Iron and Steel: Manufacturing Industries
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect of a UK withdrawal from the EU on the British steel industry.
tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
uin	37179
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/05/2016 answer text <p>The UK is stronger, safer, and better off in a reformed EU, and this very much applies to our steel industry. The EU is our most important market for steel, buying over half our steel exports, and it is a powerful voice pushing for fair international trading conditions. Our membership provides access to a vast open market with a good system that balances the interests of producers and users. Outside the EU, we could find ourselves on the receiving end of EU tariffs, which would result in additional costs for the UK steel industry. In addition, we would be less able to defend ourselves against unfair competition from third countries. The Commission now has a record 37 measures against steel products, 16 of which are on Chinese imports.</p> answering member constituency Broxtowe answering member printed Anna Soubry question first answered 26/05/2016 15:40:15 answering member 3938 label Biography information for Anna Soubry
tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan